This is an interview with Leonard "Lenny" Nilson, conducted by Steve Warrick on July 15, 2000, at L & L Bait and Tackle in Islip, Long Island. Lenny Nilson was born in July 1947 in Bay Shore, Long Island. He grew up in a family deeply rooted in commercial fishing, with his father immigrating from Sweden in 1929 and establishing a fishing and bait business on West Fire Island. Nilson's early years were spent working alongside his father, gaining hands-on experience in the industry. He later pursued an associate degree in marine biology and served in the Vietnam War before fully committing to the family business. The interview covers Nilson's extensive experience in both bay and ocean fishing. He recounts his early days fishing with his father, the transition of the family business from shrimp and live killie to wholesale bait, and his ventures in pound net fishing in the ocean from the mid-1970s to 1986. Nilson describes the technical aspects of pound net fishing, including site preparation, net setting, and the challenges posed by weather and regulations. Nilson also discusses the significant changes in the fishing industry over the years, including the decline of commercial fishing and the increasing dominance of sport fishing. He reflects on the economic and environmental pressures that have reshaped the industry and the strategies he has employed to adapt, such as returning to bait fishing full-time. Throughout the interview, Nilson emphasizes the importance of preserving the knowledge and skills of commercial fishing, despite the many challenges faced by modern fishermen.